Best Practices

How to Get Ready for Spring Construction

Prepare your crew for the spring construction season with these helpful tips.

Wear the right gear

April showers bring more than just flowers when it comes to construction jobsites. They also create wet surfaces that operators can slip or fall on. A way of preventing the hazards caused by spring rain is to make sure your entire crew is wearing the appropriate footwear.

Slip resistant boots should be required on your jobsite after rainfall. Crew members should also be instructed to remove mud from the bottom of their boots before they step into equipment or onto elevated surfaces.

Beware of the mud

Mud can wreak havoc on the maneuverability of construction equipment. Heavy machines can slip or slide on wet ground, especially when they are operating on an incline.

Instruct your crew to follow all safety protocols when they are working near or operating heavy equipment in muddy conditions. These practices include staying away from machinery while it is in operation, wearing appropriate protective equipment, and ensuring that drivers use safety harnesses or belts. While these protocols should be followed in any working conditions, it is especially important to avoid injury and damage to equipment when mud is an issue.

Pay attention to the weather

Spring temperatures often fluctuate wildly throughout the day. While temperatures can be cool in the morning when work, by afternoon the temperatures can turn hot. High temperatures can lead to dehydration or other illnesses caused by exposure to very hot weather.

Keep an eye on the weather, and make sure your crew is dressed appropriately. Advise them to wear multiple layers that may be removed throughout the day, as the temperature rises. If it becomes hot, provide crew members with water breaks in a shaded area, along with access to sun resistant clothing or sunscreen.